Silver’s Roll Call Gets The Hook On Convention Floor

It certainly hasn’t been the best of conventions for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

He’s been dogged by criticism and questions about his handling of the Vito Lopez sexual harassment case, faces an uncertain future as speaker and was pestered all week about whether he should be leading the party down here.

And then this last night: His glowing praise of New York during last night’s roll call vote to nominate President Obama was unceremoniously cut off by DNC secretary Alice Germond.

Silver’s speech—which was less than three minutes—didn’t seem particularly long as each state rattled off its leaders and unique qualities.

But about 2:30 minutes into his speech and as Silver boosted “Where the Adirondack Forest stands majestically. The Niagara Falls thunders continuously,” Germond had seemingly heard enough.

“New York, New York, you have 384 votes, how to do you cast them?” Germond interjected.

Silver smiled and said something about “rises gloriously with immense pride” and then quickly ended, “We cast all of our votes for the president and future leader of the great nation, President Barack Obama!”

Here’s Silver’s full speech:

Madam, secretary, I am Sheldon Silver, speaker of the New York state Assembly. I am joined by our great state Democratic co-chairs, Mayor Stephanie Miner of Syracuse and Assemblyman Keith Wright.

The great progressive state of New York, engine of opportunity, cradle of civil rights, model of the American dream, led by the finest, most dynamic governor in America today, Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Guided by our distinguished United States Senator Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

We the Empire State of democracy and diversity, where Democrats are standing up for working families from the shores of Lake Erie to Long Island Sound. From the peaks of our North Country, to the rivers of our Southern Tier.

Where innovators and achievers are building a bright future in cities such as Buffalo and Rochester, Syracuse and Binghamton, Utica and Albany, through the historic Hudson Valley to New York City.

Where the Adirondack Forest stands majestically. The Niagara Falls thunders continuously … rises gloriously with immense pride, we cast all of our votes for the president and future leader of the great nation, President Barack Obama.